Bucharest (VNA)🦋 - On the threshold of his official visit to Romania, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh granted an interview to the Romanianmedia on Vietnam’s development experiences, important policies of the 13thNational Party Congress and the prospects of the Vietnam-Romania relationship.

The PM reviewed significanthistorical milestones over the nearly 40 years of reforms in Vietnam, includingan over-53-time increase in the economy’s scale and 28-time rise in per capitaincome. The poverty rate has decreased from 60% in the early 1990s to 2.93% in2023. Vietnam has fulfilled Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule,ranking high in human development among economies of similar developmentlevels.

He went on to say that thecountry ranks high in human development among economies of similar developmentlevels, and plays a crucial role in global and regional supply chains, beingone of the world's 20 largest economies with a network of 16 signed FTAs and 3FTAs under negotiation.

PM Chinh noted that despite global complexities inrecent years, Vietnam has maintained a stable macroeconomic foundation,controlled inflation, promoted economic growth, ensured major economicbalances, and kept state budget, public debt, and foreign debt below regulatedlimits. In 2023, key indicators such as CPI, GDP growth, trade surplus, and FDIattraction demonstrated robust performance, particularly in the agriculturesector, contributing significantly to both domestic food security and globalsupply.

According to him, those significant achievementsare attributed to various factors and practical experiences, among which thereare five outstanding lessons.

ღ First of all is the firm commitment to nationalindependence and socialism, which is a fundamental principle aligned withVietnam's revolutionary path and essential in the ideological legacy ofPresident Ho Chi Minh.

Second, the revolution is ofthe people, by the people, and for the people, with the people placed at thecenter and considered the subject, the driving force, the goal, and the mostimportant resource for development.

Third is the lesson of constantconsolidation and strengthening of unity: unity within the Party, unity withinthe people, unity among ethnic groups, and international unity. Unity is also afundamental factor in garnering support and assistance from progressive forcesworldwide for democracy, progress, and peace.

Fourth is the need to combine the strength of thenation with the strength of the times, domestic strength with internationalstrength.
🍌 Fifth, the sound leadershipby the Party is the foremost factor determining the success of the Vietnameserevolution.

Asked about how Vietnammanages to harmonise communist ideals with certain principles of a marketeconomy, the PM said the significant achievements in developing asocialist-oriented market economy in line with the communist ideals in Vietnamin recent years are primarily thanks to a solid grasp of Marxist-Leninistprinciples, the ideology of Ho Chi Minh, the innovative application of them toVietnam's specific conditions, and the embodiment of a patriotic spirit rootedin the country's cultural and historical traditions.

He stressed that Vietnam's socialist-orientedmarket economy is characterised by modern market principles, internationalintegration, and efficient operation following the laws of the market economy.It is managed by the socialist law-governed state, led by the Communist Partyof Vietnam, ensuring a socialist orientation for the goal of a prosperous,strong, democratic, just, and civilised country.

The PM said this economy features diverse forms ofownership, with the state sector playing a leading role, continuousconsolidation and development of collective and cooperative economies, and asignificant contribution from the private sector as a crucial driving force.Encouraging and developing foreign direct investment (FDI) is part of thestrategy, evident in Vietnam attracting 36.6 billion USD in FDI in 2023, a morethan 32% increase compared to 2022, even amidst challenging global conditions.Such success demonstrates Vietnam's attractiveness to the internationalbusiness community and foreign investors, he said.

Chinh explained that in the socialist-orientedmarket economy, the state manages through policies, laws, strategies, andplanning, utilizing market mechanisms, market tools, and the laws of value,supply and demand, and competition. The state regulates these factorsharmoniously, effectively releasing production potential and mobilising andutilising resources efficiently. The state issues and effectively enforces a legalsystem, mechanisms, and policies to create a transparent, fair legalenvironment conducive to the development of economic components and economicentities. The State regulation is aimed at achieving development goals in eachperiod, connecting economic development with the realisation of social progressand justice, and addressing market mechanism shortcomings, ensuring a balancedbenefit, creating a favourable environment and conditions for rapid andsustainable development.

Regarding themost important decisions made by the 13th National Congress of the CommunistParty of Vietnam, especially the short-term and medium-term development goalsof Vietnam, PM Chinh stressed that the 13th Party Congress clearly defined thegoal of striving for Vietnam to become a developing country with modernindustry by 2025, surpassing the low average income level; By 2030, it will bea developing country with modern industry and upper middle income, and by 2045it will be a developed country with high income.

💝 He said to achieve the above strategic goals,Vietnam focuses on building the foundational elements for rapid, sustainabledevelopment - that is socialist democracy, the socialist rule of law state andthe socialist-oriented market economy.

The country is promoting theimplementation of three strategic breakthroughs on institutional improvement,human resource development and building a synchronous and modern infrastructuresystem. Vietnam is building anindependent and self-reliant economy associated with active and proactive internationaleconomic integration, and at the same time, focuses on implementing majorpolicies and guidelines in all fields in the short, medium and long term.

The Vietnamese Government leader highlightedthe country’s diplomatic achievements, saying that guided by the spirit of "putting aside the past, respectingdifferences, promoting commonalities, looking to the future," Vietnam hasorchestrated a transformative journey—turning erstwhile adversaries intosteadfast allies, replacing confrontation with constructive dialogue, andevolving into a beacon of healing and progress.

Vietnam now boasts diplomatic ties with 193countries worldwide. Within its circle of 30 strategic and comprehensivepartners, five are permanent members of the UN Security Council, seven belongto the G7, and 16 align with the G20—a testament to Vietnam's global resonance,he said.

The PM attributed this success to a foreign policydeeply rooted in practicality, inheriting and advancing Marxism-Leninism and HoChi Minh's diplomatic legacy. Embodied in the metaphor of "Vietnamesebamboo: solid roots, strong trunk, flexible branches," this diplomaticidentity reflects Vietnam's unwavering commitment to self-reliance, nationalbenefit, and a spirit of solidarity, kindness, and loyalty.

This foreign policy, marked by independence,self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, diversification,multilateralization, initiative, and active integration, is implemented withsolidity, flexibility, and adaptability across all facets of governance.Vietnam's dynamic approach, combined with achievements in socio-economicdevelopment and an unyielding commitment to the "four nos" defense policy,has elevated the nation's international standing.

🉐 As the regional and global landscape continues itsunpredictable evolution, marked by unprecedented challenges, Vietnam's foreignaffairs confront new difficulties. Yet, with a shared wish to collaborate withother nations and the international community, Vietnam stands ready toproactively, positively, and effectively contribute to preserving a peaceful,stable, and conducive environment for rapid and sustainable development, the PMsaid.

Regarding the Vietnam-Romaniaties, Chinh said Vietnam and Romania share a longstanding and robusttraditional friendship and cooperative relationship, which has been flourishingfor almost 75 years. He noted that Romania is one of the earliest nations toformally recognise Vietnam, extending invaluable support and assistance duringVietnam's fight to reclaim national independence and reunification, as well asits ongoing journey towards nation-building and development.

He underlined that approximately4,000 Vietnamese officials and experts have been trained with the help ofRomania, constituting a significant intellectual asset crucial for thecountry's progress and prosperity.

The PM also highlighted that Romania has played anactive role in assisting Vietnam with the EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations,leading to the ratification and implementation of the Vietnam - EU Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA). Moreover, Romania was among the pioneering EU members toendorse the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), showcasingits support for enhanced economic integration between Vietnam and the EuropeanUnion. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when global health was inperil, Romania distinguished itself as the first EU country to provide vaccineaid to Vietnam.

Vietnam holds in high regard and is deeply thankfulfor the timely, generous, and heartfelt aid extended by the Romanian governmentand its people, Chinh said.

He praised Romania’s notable socio-economicadvancements in recent times, particularly its persistent economic growth despiteglobal uncertainties, consistently ranking among the upper echelons within theEU.

🙈 PM Chinh noted that in tandem with Romania'sachievements, the bilateral relationship with Vietnam is witnessing substantialprogress across multiple sectors. Trade exchanges have solidified, with two-wayturnover nearly doubling from 261 million USD in 2019 to 425 million USD by 2022.Additionally, both nations have inked an Education Cooperation Program for theperiod of 2023 - 2026, deepening their collaborative efforts in the field ofeducation. People-to-people exchanges are increasingly robust as more Romaniantourists explore Vietnam.

The PM affirmed that withsignificant opportunities for collaboration and ample potential within theframework of the established and cordial traditional ties between the twocountries, Vietnam aspires to enhance its cooperative relationship withRomania. Vietnam wants to fortify political trust by increasing the exchange ofdelegations at all levels and through every channel; intensify participation inmultilateral and regional forums; and create new milestones in trade andinvestment, solidifying them as cornerstones of the bilateral relations.

He went on to say that Vietnam is keen to advancecollaboration in sectors where Romania possesses expertise and Vietnam has potential,including education, culture, civil society, labor, and the burgeoning spheresof digital economics, green and circular economies, science and technology,artificial intelligence, and emergent industries.

He also called for the Romanian Government'scontinued support in safeguarding the legitimate rights of Vietnamese workersin Romania, facilitating conditions conducive to the Vietnamese community'sintegration and stable long-term business pursuits, and enhancing their role asa conduit between the two nations.

The PM also shared memories of the time he studiedin Romania and worked at the Vietnamese Embassy in Bucharest. He said hebelieves that this visit will serve as animpetus for further enrichment, deepening, and practical advancement of the amicableties between the two countries. Such enhancement serves not just the twopeoples, but also fosters peace, collaboration, and progress on a regional andglobal scale, he said./.